[Fwd. for Gordon Watts [email protected]] Greetings all. I have had some reports from those who attended the Town Hall Meetings on Monday, with some more to come. A number of those writing me have expressed the opinion that the first two speakers of the afternoon session, who spoke against access, were government 'plants'. I do not yet know their names or positions but at this time I am led to believe that they were employees of a statistical agency of the Nova Scotia Government. I know for a fact that for the Ottawa meetings, a Privacy researcher and consultant was 'invited' to appear and speak. He contacted me before the meeting to advise me of his 'invitation'. It must have been a shock to StatCan to find that this individual did not come out in opposition to access of the 1906 and 1911 Censuses. We will be watching with interest to see how many other meetings have 'invited' participants, particularly those who who work for the various statistical agencies of the governments, either federally or provincially. So much for the stated desire to hear the opinions of 'ordinary' Canadians. Some writers have expressed the opinion that they might like to speak at these meetings but feel others from various academic or historical/genealogical societies can do a better job. To those who might feel this way, my response is to say 'go for it!' Your opinion is just as valid as anyone else's, and as 'ordinary' Canadians, it is your opinion that is sought by the bureaucrats of StatCan. Don't let any of these meetings proceed without sufficient speakers to fill the alloted time slots. Please keep us informed regarding your participation, and what happens at the meetings. Happy Hunting. Gordon A. Watts [email protected] Co-chair, Canada Census Committee Port Coquitlam, BC http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index.htm en francais http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index_f.htm